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Equipping the Bike - what's the best gear? Anything to do with the bikes equipment, saddlebags, etc. Questions on repairs and maintenance of the bike itself belong in the Brand Specific Tech Forums.
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  #16  
Old 3 Dec 2008
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I feel obligated to offer a contrary opinion on Wolfman, given all the cheery accolades. I've got Wolfman's Expedition Saddlebags, and the fastening system needed modification (and in the end I cut most straps off and bungie them on instead). Much worse, they leak copiously at first hint of rain....but once the water leaks in, it never leaks out. Riding four hours in the rain yields a couple of inches of liquid water in the bottom of the bags, soaking whatever I've been carrying there. Varying my roll-top folding has no effect. Seems pretty silly; if water's going to enter, at least provide a couple of grommets where it can leak back out.

Of course, I had the same complaint about the front pockets on my fancy Darien jacket—water enters, then pools there forever. Motorcyclists, for all their complaining, settle for a lot of faulty design. No self-respecting kayaker (or surfer dude) would accept pockets which fill with water so readily.

We now return to your regularly scheduled cheeriness.

enjoy,

Mark
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  #17  
Old 3 Dec 2008
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Hee hee - nice post mark...

I've not tried their expedition bags so can't comment on the waterproofness, but that's a good heads up for anyone contemplating them...

I use an Ortlieb 'rackpack' waterproof duffle on the back seat and that has been fine in the rain.

The little tank bags being discussed above are probably better protected by the rest of the bike? but I'd agree that the cordura Enduro bag is not waterproof (or designed to be) - stuff inside will get damp after a prolonged ride in the rain, but never fill up with water as you describe happening with the expedition saddle bags... that is not good!

xxx
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  #18  
Old 14 Dec 2008
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This is the one

Quote:
Originally Posted by Stephano View Post
That's useful info. Thanks.
I am pondering the "maximum weather-proofness" Expedition Tank Bag.

It should keep out water & dust. The downside appears to be that it is more fiddly to open and perhaps can't accommodate a water bladder tube so well.

Think I'd go for all black too...
Stephan
Guys,
Not to brag but I have worn out a half dozen tank bags and ridden for 40 years, the last one to die was the KTM OEM bag for the 640 Adventure, the Gobi Desert killed that one.

Now I am running the Wolfman Expedition bag on my KTM, the large one...honestly it is the best tankbag I have ever owned and NO ZIPPERS, NO ZIPPERS, NO ZIPPERS. It is usually the zippers that fail and the cordura bags leak. This bag does not leak, the only problem I can see is the map case.It is not waterproof but none are, gonna have to retrofit and Ortleib map case or a kayak map case to solve that problem...otherwise it is perfect.
bill.
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